Twenty states have designated a specific area of focus for their CTE programs.

Why does it matter?

A state that determines an economic and workforce focus benefits from system assistance in revising curriculum and programs to match the needs.

Addressing the workforce needs of area business/industries may open the opportunity for business/school partnerships, apprenticeship programs, job shadowing, facilities and appropriate equipment that can be costly for schools.

Methodology: This information was collected from state statutes, rules and regulations, and will be updated as new policies are enacted.

No. However, there are specific regional focuses such as biotechnology in the San Diego area and bioscience in the Pasadena/Los Angeles region.

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Delaware programs will emphasize the integration of academic and technical content and will include a sequence of courses that address the state's academic as well as career and technical education content standards. These programs of study will provide the effective academic and technical preparation necessary for student entry into high-skill, high-wage or high-demand occupations and/or related opportunities in postsecondary education. All students will be held to the graduation requirements which include the completion of rigorous academic courses and a three-credit planned and sequential career pathway. Program emphasis reflects regional labor market needs.

District of Columbia

Florida

2007 legislation creates the State Career and Professional Education Act to improve academic performance and to response to workforce needs. Act requires:

A school district to develop strategic plans to address and meet local and regional workforce needs and to establish a career and professional academy

Career courses lead to industry certification

A specified number of students must achieve certification or college credit for a course to continue

Students are able to transfer credits to state university system.

Georgia

Hawaii

Agriculture, Science and Technology

Idaho

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is one of the state's emphases.

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies

Transportation Technologies - ASE/NATEF Automotive Technology

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Biomedical, engineering and math

Mississippi

Missouri

Pre-engineering

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

Health Sciences

New Hampshire

Advanced manufacturing, engineering, biotechnology. Moving towards STEM as an area of potential growth.

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

An emerging technology program rotates high tech equipment among 80 area schools.

Ohio

Oklahoma

Health Care

Aerospace/Aviation

Advanced Manufacturing

Energy and Construction

STEM

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's STEM Initiative

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Focus on labor market needs of health science, STEM, and programs that align with postsecondary opportunities.Industry certification programs in information technology and ProStart for the hospitality industry.

Tennessee

Texas

The governor has identified six industry clusters for economic growth:

Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing

Aerospace and Defense

Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Information and Computer Technology

Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products

Energy

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

State's career and technical education plan emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the state is currently in the process of beginning six Governor's Career and Technical STEM Academies.

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